Summer TV primer

Summer brings warm weather, bathing suits, sunshine and outdoor fun—for some. For the rest of us, it is the dawning of a new television season bearing a mix of shows that recycle premises, cake in witty banter and give us something to do while maintaining a healthy, pale skin tone.

While most networks shovel a generic mix of reality television that isn’t truly reality, or game shows that aren’t truly games, or even a spread of crime-solving dramas all built off the exact same premise scattered across an array of initials, there are some noteworthy options breaking through the sunshine this summer—for better or for worse.

Teen Wolf

Began June 5.

Continuing the trend of lazily recycling once-great ideas from the ’80s in place of producing original content, MTV manages to turn this campy Michael J. Fox (and Jason Bateman) classic into tacky, dramatic teen trash. No werewolf basketball games or handstands on a van here.

 

White Collar

Began June 7.

In its third season, the tales of suave and dapper con artist turned ward-of-the-state Neal Caffrey continue to provide an interesting take on the crime-solving genre. In the end, it’s not a total waste of 40 minutes.

 

Falling Skies

Began June 19.

Replacing the zombie factor commonly found in most post-apocalyptic adventures with invading aliens who either kill or enslave mankind, Falling Skies is one of the most captivating shows premiering this summer. It will certainly be one of the more popular shows of the year. Tune in for end of the world fun!

 

Burn Notice

Began June 23.

Backed by a band of badass cohorts, and his mom, Michael Westen still uses his spy expertise to clear his tarnished name. This show started out strong four seasons ago and has managed to stay afloat with a loyal fan base while not ever explaining who the hell Westen is narrating this show to.

 

Suits

Began June 23.

One’s experienced and witty, while the other is young…and witty. Suits takes the buddy cop genre, though removing the fun cop aspect and replacing it with lawyers, leaving no action to the fill the bickering between two contrasting characters. The pilot is intriguing, but it is difficult to see how they will be able to string this premise out for long.

Wilfred

Began June 23.

A depressed man takes control of his life with the help of a dog—well, at least the world sees a dog; he sees an Englishman dressed in a dog suit. Another show based on a trend—taking successful British shows and Americanizing them instead of just showing the original in all its glory. Wilfred is intriguing and rather funny. The gimmick of a guy dressed in a dog suit doing dog things gets old fast, but in the end it’s totally worth a viewing.

 

Leverage

Began June 26.

All in all, pretty entertaining adventures of a group of professional criminals who take on “the man.” Sort of like a modern Robin Hood against greedy corporations. Filmed right here in Portland, OR—apparently our city makes a decent stand-in for Boston. Therefore, support this show! We need all the local jobs we can get.

 

True Blood

Began June 26.

One of the only shows incorporating vampires that is slightly worth watching. It mixes the right amount of camp with sappy vampire tales—that’s right, it’s “campire.” This season adds a twist not found in the multitude of other vampire vehicles: fairies. Yep. Beware, it still may be too cheesy for many viewers.

 

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Begins July 10.

Larry David blesses the airways—or cable lines—with his genius wit once more. One of the greatest shows on TV over the past decade continues its great run this summer.

 

Rescue Me

Begins July 12.

Rescue Me will put forth its final season this summer. Viewers either love or hate this show. Tune in to either continue supporting the show, or to merely see how it all ends.

 

Breaking Bad

Begins July 17.

This show hit screens with a bang three seasons ago, but has gone slightly under the radar ever since. It is one of the best shows currently on TV and, short of The Wire, the best show about the drug trade in the United States.

 

Entourage

Begins July 24.

Another show headed toward the rerun circuit as it lays down its final season. Only eight episodes will be provided to viewers to cap off its eight season run. ?